Salvia plant named ‘RFD-S018’

ABSTRACT

A new cultivar of Salvia plant named ‘RFD-S018’ that is distinguished by its rich, clear magenta rose color, dark purple-brown calyx and dense foliage. These traits set ‘RFD-S018’ apart from all other existing varieties of Salvia known to the inventor.

Genus: Salvia.

Species: greggii.

Denomination: RFD-S018.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a new variety of S. greggii Gray,hereinafter referred to by the cultivar name ‘RFD-S018’. ‘RFD-S018’originated as a chance seedling from a potted plant found in theinventor's collection in a cultivated area of Greensboro, N.C., in March1995. It was taken from the pot of a S. greggii Gray variety andmaintained for asexual propagation purposes. The inventor presumes that‘RFD-S018’ is a seedling of the adjacent plant, S. greggii Gray.

The inventor has been studying, collecting, and disseminating Salviaspecies for twenty-seven years. During this period, he has traded Salviaspecies and cultivars with many botanical gardens and nurseries.

One of the inventor's goals has been to sort out confusion on theidentities of various forms of Salvias being marketed. This hasnecessitated developing contacts with various herbaria and taxonomicexperts to assist with the proper identification of Salvia forms. Thedeveloped information has been supplied at times to Salvia collectorsand to nurseries and botanic gardens where visits have been made tocheck on the correct identification of various Salvias.

Collected results of the identification of Salvias, along withhorticultural information like zone hardiness, size, and bloom periodand flower color have been reported in his publication, the SalviaPlacard Handbook. Recently, the World of Salvia web site was created andis being maintained for the purpose of reporting this information aboutSalvias to the public.

The inventor has bred and introduced many successful commercialintroductions, including Salvia greggii Gray hybrids ‘Cherry Chief’(unpatented), ‘Cherry Queen’ (unpatented), ‘Maraschino’ (unpatented),and ‘Raspberry Royale’ (unpatented).

‘RFD-S018’ is distinguished from other varieties of the species known tothe inventor and was selected for these distinguishing characteristics:namely, that the flowers of RFD-S018 are rich, clear magenta rose incolor, in combination with a dark purple brown calyx that accents theflower and dense foliage.

‘RFD-S018’ was first asexually propagated in 1995 at Greensboro, N.C.,USA using vegetative cuttings. It has been found to remain fixed, stableand uniform through several generations.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The following traits have been repeatedly observed and represent thedistinguishing characteristics of ‘RFD-S018’. In combination thesetraits set the new cultivar apart from all others existing varieties ofSalvia known to the inventor. ‘RFD-S018’ has not been tested under allpossible conditions and phenotypic differences may be observed withvariations in environment, climatic, and cultural conditions, however,without any variance in genotype.

1. Salvia ‘RFD-S018’ exhibits a rich, clear magenta rose color.

2. Salvia ‘RFD-S018’ exhibits dark purple brown calyx.

3. Salvia ‘RFD-S018’ exhibits dense foliage.

BREIF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings illustrate the distinguishing traits of thenew Salvia cultivar ‘RFD-S018’. The photographs were taken in summer2002 of a one year-old plant, in an 8″ container that were grown agreenhouse in a cultivated area of Arroyo Grande, Calif., USA.

The drawing on sheet 1 illustrates the entire plant in summer with itsdense foliage.

Sheet 2 is a close-up view of the flower. The drawings were made usingconventional photographic techniques. Although colors may appeardifferent from actual colors due to light reflectance, they are asaccurate as possible by conventional photography.

BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION OF THE PLANT

The following is a detailed description of the Salvia plant named‘RFD-S018’. Data was collected in April 2001 from one year-old plantsgrown in one gallon containers in full sun at Greensboro, N.C., USA.Phenotypic differences may be observed with variation in environmental,climatic, and cultural conditions. The color determinations are inaccordance with The 1986 Edition of The Royal Horticulture SocietyColour Chart except where general color terms of ordinary dictionarysignificance are used. The growing requirements are similar to otherSalvia plants.

Botanical classification: Salvia ‘RFD-S018’.

Species: greggii.

Common Name: Salvia.

Use: Ornamental shrub.

Form: Bush.

Height: 0.8-1.2 meter.

Width: 0.7 meter.

Growth habit: Perennial.

Blooming season: From one month after breaking spring dormancy to firstfrost.

Lastingness of blooms: 3 to 4 days.

Disease and pest susceptibility: Drought tolerant. Deer and rabbitresistant. Susecptible to sucking insects when stressed. Generally,outgrows most bacterial and viral infections.

Stem:

Color.—187B.

Shape.—Rounded square.

Diameter.—0.8-1.3 mm.

Texture.—Smooth to minutely farinaceous.

Leaf:

Arrangement.—Opposite.

Shape.—Elliptic to oblong.

Length.—1.5-2.6 centimeters.

Width.—0.5-0.9 centimeters.

Margin.—Entire.

Thickness.—Slightly fleshy.

Venation.—Veins barely visible.

Color (upper surface and lower surface).—Varies between 137A and 137C.

Apex.—Shape: Acute or obtusely rounded. Color: RHS 137A to 137C.

Base.—Shape: Rounded to acuminate, sometimes oblique. Color: RHS 137A to137C.

Petiole.—Shape: Mostly carinate; alate towards leaf base. Length: 7-10millimeters. Width: 0.8-1.4 millimeters. Color: RHS 143C.

Peduncle.—Length: 4.7 mm. Width: 0.5 mm. Color: 145A. Texture:Glandular, puberulent.

Flower:

Inflorescence.—

Type.—Terminal raceme.

Length.—23 centimeters.

Diameter.—3.4-3.8 cm.

Number.—From 14 to 19 decussate pairs.

Shape.—Tubular, two-lipped.

Bud:

Length (including calyx).—13 mm.

Length (immature flower.).—1.5 mm.

Width (immature flower).—4 mm.

Color (immature flower).—66A.

Shape (immature flower.).—Hemisphere.

Surface texture (immature flower).—Prominently hairy.

Pedicel:

Length.—4.7 millimeters.

Pedicel width.—0.5 millimeters.

Pubescence.—Glandular, puberulent.

Color.—RHS 145A.

Calyx:

Shape.—Tapered cylinder, flared toward the apex.

Rib number.—10, longitudinal.

Length.—From 9 mm to 13 mm.

Width.—From 4.5 mm to 5.5 mm.

Pubescence.—Glandular, puberulent.

Color.—Base and between ribs: 145B. Tip and ribs: 183A.

Lobe.—Upper: Number: 1. Shape: Acute. Length: 3.8 millimeters. Width:2.4 millimeters.

Lower.—Number: 2. Shape: Acute. Length: 3.4 millimeters. Width: 3.1millimeters.

Corolla:

Shape.—Tubular proximally to two-lipped distally.

Length.—3.18 centimeters.

Diameter (maximum width of lower lip.).—17.3 mm.

Color range.—Magenta RHS 66A.

Tube.—Length: 19.5 millimeters. Width (measured directly undermagnifying lens): 3.0 millimeters. Depth: 6.5 millimeters. Lip: UpperNumber: 1. Shape: Hood-like. Length: 11.8 millimeters. Lower Number: 2suborbicular. Shape: Banner-like, extended downward. Outline: Obovate.Length: 17.1 millimeters. Diameter at widest point: 17.3 millimeters.Depth: 7.6 millimeters.

Reproductive organs:

Pistil.—Stigma color: 65D.

Style.—Length: 3.2 centimeters. Color: 66C. Pubescence: Present towardtip. Attachment site: To a four-lobed ovary between the lobes. Ovarycolor: 145B.

Stamen.—Number: 2. Shape: Seesaw-like. Connective length: 12.3millimeters. Filament length: 4.1 millimeters. Anther: Color: 158D.Attachment site: Outer end of the connective. Pollen: Color: 13A.Staminodes: Present (weak). Invagination: Present (weak, barelynoticeable). Fertility: 2-4 glossy brown-black oblong-elliptic nutlets.

Nutlets.—Length: 4 mm. Width: 2 mm. Color: 200A. Shape: Oblong-elliptic.

I claim:
 1. A new and distinct cultivar of Salvia plant named ‘RFD-S018’as described and illustrated.